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Whitfield to lead Oconee chamber

Watkinsville resident Howard J. “J.R.” Whitfield will take over in two weeks as the new president of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, a chamber leader said this morning.

Whitfield, a 30-year Watkinsville resident with a background in the building industry, on April 15 will replace Charles Grimes, who announced his retirement in January.

Wesley Scott, a past chairman of the chamber’s executive board, cited Whitfield’s skills in raising money and his engaging approach to people as reasons for hiring him.

“His ability to fund raise and really his dynamic personality showed he could do the job,” said Scott, a member of a search committee charged with finding a new president.

Grimes will continue working with Whitfield through April, introducing him to key leaders in Oconee County and helping with training, Scott said.

Most recently, Whitfield worked in sales with Bulldog Sporting Goods, but until a month ago had served as a regional sales manager for Harbin Lumber Co. He worked for more than 30 years in the building industry, including stints with Williams Brothers Lumber and Lowe’s Home Improvement.